The match against Pakistan may well be remembered as the dawn of a new era in South African cricket, when 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka snared his first Test wicket. A young pacer caused the most damage by getting rid of the dangerous Babar Azam, who was eyeing a big score after getting his second Test half-century in a row.
This is even more brilliant, given the fact that Maphaka is South Africa’s youngest test debutant. The teenager’s powerful performance in test cricket has created ripples of enthusiasm among the people involved in cricket.
Maphaka got the big-name scalp of Babar Azam, thus staking his claim to future stardom of the South African cricket team. Particularly memorable was this instance that will remain fresh in the minds of cricket fans for quite some time.
Kwena Maphaka dismisses well-set Babar Azam
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On the third day, Kwena Maphaka got rid of Pakistan’s top batsman, Babar Azam, on the last ball of the first over of the second session, when he got one that came in with the angle from outside leg-stump.
It was true, the ball was more on the lower side and when Babar tried playing a glance down the leg side off his hips, it got a faint outside edge to the keeper Kyle Verreynne, who grabbed a breathtaking low catch. While the delivery can never be planned to get the wicket, it came for Maphaka through perseverance.
The dismissal was special for the debutant as he immediately was able to celebrate the same by smiling widely and sprinting. It was another highlight for Maphaka and now the youngster has tasted the sweetness of clinching an opponent’s scalp.
Kwena Maphaka was clearly delighted for himself and his happiness will be remembered by fans of cricket across the world. This breakthrough has greatly helped South Africa and Maphaka is sure to seek to extend the same progress.
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